Africa’s Travel and Tourism Elite Honoured at Star-Studded Gala in Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR, Tanzania – The pinnacle of African hospitality gathered under the tropical skies of Zanzibar this week as the World Travel Awards (WTA) hosted its Africa Gala Ceremony 2026. The prestigious event, held at the newly opened Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar, served as a global stage to celebrate the organizations setting the gold standard for innovation and excellence across the continent.
As the industry continues to recover and evolve, the ceremony highlighted the resilience and ambition of Africa’s tourism sector. Hosting the event at Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar, a luxury flagship resort that opened its doors earlier this year, underscored the island’s rising status as a premier destination for high-end travel.
Tanzania’s Triple Triumph
The night belonged largely to Tanzania, which dominated the evening’s accolades. The nation secured the titles of ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Board.’ Its natural wonders also received global recognition, with Serengeti National Park taking home both ‘Africa’s Leading National Park’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Big 5 National Park,’ while Kilimanjaro National Park was honored as ‘Africa’s Leading Mountain National Park.’
The island of Zanzibar itself was not to be outdone, walking away with the awards for ‘Africa’s Leading Beach Destination’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Festival & Event Destination.’ The host resort, Diamonds Bijoux, saw its own success, being named ‘Africa’s Leading New Resort’ and ‘Zanzibar’s Leading Villa Resort.’
H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, lauded the event’s success, noting that tourism remains a fundamental pillar of the region’s economic strategy. “This prestigious occasion reflects the growing stature of Zanzibar as one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations, celebrated for its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and the dedication of its people,” Dr. Mwinyi stated.
Excellence Across the Continent
The awards acknowledged leaders across a diverse array of categories, reflecting the breadth of the African travel landscape:
- Aviation: Kenya Airways asserted its dominance by winning ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Airline – Economy Class.’ Ethiopian Airlines claimed the ‘Business Class’ title, while RwandAir was recognized for ‘Africa’s Leading Cabin Crew.’ Julius Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania was crowned ‘Africa’s Leading Airport.’
- Hospitality: The Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club was awarded ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel.’ Other notable winners included Chem Chem Lodge for ‘Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Lodge,’ LUX* Marijani for ‘Africa’s Leading Green Hotel,’ and The Mora Zanzibar, which was voted ‘Africa’s Most Romantic Resort.’
- Infrastructure: The Port of Cape Town was named ‘Africa’s Leading Cruise Port,’ and the Durban ICC earned the title of ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre.’
A Global Stage for Future Growth
Graham Cooke, Founder of the World Travel Awards, praised the high caliber of this year’s nominees. “Our winners represent the very best of the travel and tourism sector,” Cooke remarked. “It has been a privilege to welcome the continent’s elite to Zanzibar to celebrate their achievements in shaping the future of travel.”
The Zanzibar gala marked the opening leg of the WTA’s prestigious Grand Tour 2026. The series will continue with red-carpet events across the Maldives, Jamaica, Montenegro, and the United Arab Emirates, ultimately building toward a Grand Final in Tanzania.
As the industry looks forward, the Africa’s travel and tourism elite have once again proven that the continent remains a vibrant, competitive, and essential player in the global tourism economy. For a complete list of this year’s winners and more information on the upcoming ceremony schedule, visit the official World Travel Awards website.
